Coach Todd Bowles after the Jets blew a 16-0 lead to fall to the Titans, 26-22 on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andy Vasquez, Staff Writer, @andy_vasquez

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles on the sideline in the second half. The Jets defeat the Indianapolis Colts 42-34 in Week 6 on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in East Rutherford.(Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New York Jets coach Todd Bowles didn’t raise his voice or contort his face. He spoke with the same measured, emotionless tone he’s become known for during his four seasons leading the Jets.

But the words he used after Sunday’s collapse and 26-22 loss to the Titans revealed the turmoil brewing beneath the embattled coach's stoic exterior. Bowles called out his players for their “dumb mistakes” and “disgusting” showing as they threw away another game in the fourth quarter.

It's a break from protocol for Bowles, who is more apt to shoulder full responsibility for a loss or spread it evenly. But these are dire times.

The Jets have now lost six straight, a slide that has made it obvious obvious that Bowles’ time with the Jets (3-9) is running out.

Sunday’s brutal loss, a clinic on mental mistakes and un-clutch play, only makes his pink slip more inevitable. And after the game, he was furious.

“Dumb mistakes at dumb times cost us ballgames,” Bowles said. “That’s why we’re in the position we’re in.”

Bowles, who said he was “fuming” after the loss, was most upset about the Jets’ penalties. And understandably so.

Despite slowly squandering most of a 16-0 first-half edge, the Jets led 22-19 with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Titans on their own 14 yard-line. If they got a stop, the game was over.

Instead, the drive was a disaster. The Titans went 86 yards for the score as the Jets committed three critical penalties: holding by cornerback Morris Claiborne, illegal use of hands by outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins and a facemask by Trumaine Johnson.

“I don’t know how many penalties we had, but it felt like we had one every play,” Bowles said. “It cost us and it’s disgusting.”

The Jets had 11 penalties for 96 yards, both season highs. And when it was over, Bowles was forced to admit that the team is regressing when it comes to on-field smarts.

Jets Head Coach, Todd Bowles during the fourth quarter of their 41-10 loss against the Bills. Sunday, November 11, 2018. During the second half of the game some fans were screaming for him to be fired.(Photo: Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com)

“Judging by [Sunday’s] game, we’re far,” Bowles said, when asked how close the Jets are to being a smart team. “Before [Sunday], we weren’t very far.”

Bowles was never going to be measured on wins and loses in 2018. It was about progress. And with the coach himself acknowledging that the team is regressing, it’s clear that he can see the handwriting on the wall.

Bowles’ postgame message to the team was one of anger.

“Pissed off,” Bowles aid of his postgame speech to the team. “Frustrated. Look in the mirror. Just look in the mirror. We won’t be a good football team until we’re a smart football team.”

The Jets may not be smart enough to finish games, but they know that their mistakes are costing their coach his job.

There was a sense of resignation in the locker room on Sunday evening. The players know what’s coming.

But in every corner of the room, they defended their coach.

“It’s not the coaches, man,” safety Jamal Adams said. “It’s not. It’s not. It’s not. It’s not. …It bothers me that I keep hearing that, because it’s not their fault. As grown men we get paid to play a kid’s game and we get paid king money.

“We have to go out there and execute our job. All week they gave us the best game plan. All week. All week. And we didn’t go out there and execute it to the end.”

Nov 25, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles talks to safety Jamal Adams (33) during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive end Leonard Williams said that after the game, Adams told the team that he feels bad for the coaching staff. Williams agreed.

“They’re taking the fall because they’re higher up,” Williams said. “And a lot of times it’s us that are making the mistakes.”

But when the players keep making costly mistakes, it becomes a reflection on the coaching staff. And under Bowles, the Jets have become a team that can’t be trusted to finish a game because they always seem to make the wrong play at the wrong time.